Published: July 4, 2025
The title is "Assault on the Pope: Part Two".
Tomorrow, March 15, 2022, is the release date for the first volume of the manga!
Two weeks after the announcement that Graham will ascend to the papacy as the next Pope.
In the circular assembly hall, the papal inauguration ceremony was about to take place.
The inauguration ceremony is typically held the day after the papal election concludes, inside the Holy See.
On the third day after the election, the newly elected Pope appears before the faithful wearing the papal robes and crown.
However, this time, the ceremony is to be held in the circular assembly hall.
It's not entirely without precedent.
But it is extremely rare.
In the past 300 years, it has only happened twice.
Moreover, this time, a delegation from the Central Nations is present as guests.
The delegates were seated in the front row, just like during the papal inauguration.
The difference from the last time is that this time, there are no civil servants present, only the head of the delegation and the guards.
This is because the assembly hall is expected to become a battlefield afterward...
"Are the vampires really coming?"
Hugh McGrath, the head of the kingdom delegation, muttered.
"We've seen vampires before, but we've never fought them."
Nils, the swordsman from Room 10, spoke in a small voice.
"This time, the passage leading to the audience seats is completely sealed off. Those coming from outside are going directly into the center, right?"
"Yes. Everyone came up to this audience seat via the stairs."
Priest Eto and swordsman Amon were conversing.
The circular assembly hall had undergone thorough renovations.
Previously, it was possible to reach the audience seats via stairs, but this time it was not allowed.
So, the audience seats should be safe in principle...
Three years ago, the three from Room 10 fought against vampires and their kin, along with Hugh, the Hero Party, and a water attribute mage.
They faced a "count" who wielded dark attribute magic.
"I was mind-controlled back then."
Hugh grimaced at the memory and muttered resentfully.
Honestly, he hoped not to see a large number of them again...
Yet, within the kingdom delegation, Hugh had no choice but to take the lead.
This is because the Holy Sword Galahat he wields can seal regeneration abilities.
The most troublesome aspect of vampires is that they can quickly regenerate even when struck with an ordinary sword.
However, with Hugh's Galahat, that can be prevented.
That means he would have to be on the front lines, slashing at vampires...
"What a hassle..."
His muttering was so quiet that no one could hear.
The inauguration ceremony was significantly shorter compared to the inauguration speech.
The next Pope dons the white robes intended for the papacy and wears a three-horned crown.
He also holds a one-meter long "Papal Staff" adorned with a white orb.
This is all shown to the clergy.
That's it.
There would be no declaration of the Pope's guidance or words.
All of that would be presented later at a ceremony for the faithful.
Due to the brevity of the inauguration ceremony, the attackers had little time to spare.
It was when Graham donned the three-horned crown.
"Here they come."
Graham muttered, looking toward the entrance of the arena.
Stefania, the new cardinal, must have sensed it too.
She received a sword from Archbishop Schrotter, which had been prepared for this occasion — a blessed artifact.
Ten seconds later.
The doors of the arena entrance were blown off.
With the force of the explosion, numerous entities advanced toward the new Pope Graham standing opposite.
"What are those numbers...?"
Hugh McGrath whispered from the audience seats.
Over a hundred beings charged at them.
"Over a hundred vampires?"
"Last time, we struggled against just one, how could this happen?"
Eto muttered, while Nils wore a dumbfounded expression.
Yes, there were over a hundred vampires.
However, none of the clergy moved. No, they didn't move.
Only Graham raised his right hand.
Then he swung it down vigorously.
The cardinals and archbishops, led by Cardinal Adolfito, confirmed this and simultaneously channeled magical power into the magic stones they held.